We now can confirm that AMD Athlon 64 FX processor based on 90nm San Diego core with Socket 939 form-factor will be launched next year, but will not be pin-to-pin compatible with existing mainboards, as The Inquirer told you earlier.

The new Athlon 64 FX microprocessor with dual-channel memory support is not likely to require expensive registered DIMM modules and hence will be more popular among end users. A problem with it is that it will not be compatible with existing Socket 940 mainboards since the design guide for the part will be available only in October. Looks like AMD goes Intel steps and forces some of its customers to play "change your mainboard game" next year.